Combined gear shift and brake



May 20, 1924. 1,495,128

- J. W. WILSON COMBINED GEAR SHIFT AND BRAKE Filed April 20, 1923 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSEJ may 20, 1924. 1,495,128 J. w. WILSON COMBINED GEAR SHIFT AND BRAKE Filed April 20, 1923 I5 SheetsSheet 2 v m ZS 07$ INVENTOR WITNESSFJ ATTORNEY May 20, 1924. 1,495,128

Y J. W. WILSON COMBINED GEAR SHIFT AND BRAI E Filed April 20, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,1 1 kQi -y V INVENTOR f 4 W- h BY WITNESSERS ATTORNEY ing and gearshi Patented May 20, 1924?,

rarnuro tries,

JAMES waiaiaaos wILsoN, or raannALE, knn'rUcKY.

' COMBINED GEAR sH IF'r Ann BRAKE.

Application filed A ril 26, 1923. Serial No. 638,534.

T all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JAMES WALLACE WIL- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Far1ndale,-in the county of Franklin and State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in- Combined Gear Shiftsand Brakes, of which the followingis a specification. 1

My present invention has reference to a control system for automobiles.

An object is to dispense with the ordinary gear shift lever and the emergency brake lever, and to substitute lieu thereof a footpedal mounted on the clutch shaft for lat- 5 eral swinging movement, and longitudinallymovable through slots in a shifting gate or plate for contacting engagement with elements arranged below the slots for shifting.

the gears when contacted by thepedal so n that the said pedal is successfully employed for releasing the clutch and for shifting the gears, and wherein the pedal ,is likewise movablethrough an intermediate slotin the said plate to'engage means thereb'elow for.

9w applying the emergency brake, and furthermore whereby the said pedal may be locked in its last mentioned position so that .the automobile cannot be run underuits own power until such means are released.

.3 To the attainment of the foregoing, and

" '7 other objects which will present themselves as the nature of the invention is better understood', reference is to be hadto the accompanying drawings in which there is illustrated a satisfactory embodiment of the improvement reduced to practice, and

wherein v Figure lxis a plan view of a sufiicient .portion of an'automobile frame and power plant to illustrate the application of the 1mprovement.

Figure 2 is a similar View, scale, to more clearly illustrate the construction, the slotted ate-and the clutch releasi t pedal-being removed. Figure 3 isa perspective view of the mechanism employed, the clutch release and gear shift pedal being omitted. I Fi re is an enlarged sectional view approximately on the line4-4 of Figure 1. Fi re 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the s otted gate.

for the interme iate slot in the gate where- .by the pedal may he lpc ked in such slot to Figure 61s a perspective view of the latch gency brake on an enlarged prevent the surreptitious driving hf theautomobile.

As disclosed'by the drawings, Tdispense I with the gear shift lever and with'the emerpedal that are commonly em ployed on the power plants of all gear shift automobiles, with the result that much more 7 room is left between the dash and front seat of'amachine and it will be further apparent, as the natureand operation of the 1111 provement arefully described, that I have provided an. extremely simple mechanism, operated by a single foot lever for' both releasingthe clutch and foperating the gear shiftin a better and more expeditious manner than has heretofore been accomplished.

In the drawings, the frame of an automo bile is indicated by the numeral 1; The frame supports thereon, inthe usual manner, the power plant 2, the said plant having associated with its drive shaft the usual fixed and slidable gears shifted into or' out of mesh by: the gear shift rods 3 and 4 to' 'obtain the desired speed changes. The speed changing gears are well-known in the art, have been diagrammatically shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawings, and will not herein be entered into in detail.

. On the lefthand side of the dash at the front of the automobile I secure a slotted plate 5, having slots therein which are commonly known as the shifting gate. The plate, adjacent its ends is pair of longitudinal slots 7, 8 and 8'. These slots, adjacent the inner edge of the plate 6 are. provided with communicating assages 9 and 10 respectively. The slots g and 8'. are of a less length than the outer slots 7 and '8, there being inward angular passages -11 and 12 between the passages 9 and'lO that communicate with the said slots" and provide the center of the plate with a substantially. V-shaped opening 13 and with a substantially V-shaped lug that partly (projects in the opening which is indicate by the numeral 14; The lug- 14 is rovided with acentral slot 15 which is wi enedat rovided with a too the inner end thereof. One of the edges the body portion of whichbeing hingedly secure t9 t g 11* ina line with the slot in Figure 6. The, latch member opposite the wall thereof formed with the teeth 16. The inner end of the latch is ofiset angular-1y, as at 18 and the oppos1te end is likewise arranged at a ri ht angle at a difl'erent direction and at a di erent plane from the end 18. This last mentioned portion is designed to -straddle the slot or passage 15, and has its end flattened and slotted to receive therethrough a hasp secured o nthe toothed sides of the lug 14. Through this hasp there may be passed suitable looking means for closing the passage 15. The angle end 18 serves as a stopfor the latch when the latter is swung to open position.

The clutch release rod is indicated by the numeral 19. This rod has, in the present instance, keyed thereon a sleeve 20. The sleeve has upwardly projecting spaced ears 21 between which is pivoted, as at 22, the

Between the power plant 2 and one o'fthelongitudinal members of the frame 1, forward of the plate 5 I secure a bar 25. The

' p of leve bar 25- has end lugs 26 and inner lugs 27 disposed aboye the plane of the lugs 26. To.

the re p tive end lugs 26 I pivot the ends 28 and 29 respectively, the'said levers being directed toward each other but being disposed one slightly below the plane of the other. To the inner-ends of these levers 28 and .29 I pivot rods 30 and 31 respectively. The rod 31 has its free end offset to direct the same above the end their ends spect to the plane of the rod 41.

'40 is pivotally connected to the lower end of a rocker arm 42.; and the rod 41 is pivot- 1 62 ally secured to the upper end of a second of the rod 30, and both of the said rods have provided with substantially U- shaped orstirrup members 32 nd 33 respectively. To the lugs 27 T pivotally secure short levers 34'and 35 respectively. These lovers are directed toward but. terminating .a suitable distance away from each other.

'Pivotally secured. to the inner ends of the levers 34 and 35 there are rods 36 and 37 respectively which have .outer laterally extending stirrups '38 and 39 respectively. Centrally pivoted'to the levers 34 and 35 there are long rods 40 and 41 res ctively. The rod 40 is downwardly incline with re The rod rocker arm 43; Approximately centrally connected to the levers 28 and 29 there are eyes and .to which are secured cables. cable connected to the lever 28 has its upper strand 44 secured to the rocker arm 42, the

set to provide a stirrup arranged below the slot 7 and the stirrup 62 of the The lower strand 43 of the said cable beinglike wise secured to the said rocker arm. The strands 43 and 44 are secured to the rocker arm 42 at points equi-distant from a shaft 46 on which the rocker arm is secured. In a like manner the upper and lower strands 47 and 48 of the cable connected with the lever 29 are secured to a rocker arm 43' at points] equi-distant from the connection of a shaft 49 with the said rocker arm.

' Pivotally secured to the upper end of the rocker arm 42 there is a link 50, and to this link there is pivoted, as at 51 a rod 52 directed toward the stirrups. The rod 52 has an angle end arranged in a plane with the stirrup 38 and likewise providing a stir- Pivotall-y secured to the lower end and projecting rearwardly at an upward angle from the rocker arm 43' there is a link 54. To the end of'this link there is pivoted a rod 55 directed toward the lever 29, and terminatingin an angle stirrup 56' which is arranged in aplane with the stirrup 39.

The shafts 46 and 49 have their ends arranged at an upward angle as indicated by I the numerals 57 and 58 respectively, and

these ends of the shafts are respectively connected to the gear shift rods 3and 4.

The numeral 59., designates a; rod pivoted to .a link secured on a rocker shaft 60 that has cranked ends to which are pivoted rods connected to the emergen cyv brakes for the vehicle. The rod 59 is pivotally secured to a vrod extension -61 directed toward the stirrups 32 and 3-3 and. having its free end olf- 62. -Thefoot brake pedal is indicated in Figure 1 of thevdrawings by theynumeral 63,

and is connected in the usual manner with a rod 64 secured to an angle arm on a rocker shafit 65 whose outer ends arecranked and to the cranked ends there are pivoted rods for operating the foot brake mechanism.

v The stirrup 53 of the rod 52 is arrangeddirectly beneath the slot 8 in .theplate 5. The stirrup 38 for the vrod 36 is arranged directly beneath the slot 8' in the said plate 5. The stirrups 32 and 33 are arranged below the central portion of the plate forward the slotted lug 14. .The'stirrup 39 of the rod 32 is arranged beneath the slot 7? of the plate 5, while the stirrup 56 of the rod 55 is of the said plate rod'6l is arranged directly below the slot 15 on the central extension 14 of the plate 6.

The neutral position of the pedal 24 is in the substantially V-shaped slots provided between connection with the clutch release shaft 19 may be swung laterally without influencing the/shaft. Suppose that we desire to start the passages 11, 12 and 13. The, pedal arm 23 by its particular and peculiaremergency brake the car and therefore shiftthe gears to low speed. The clutch is swung through the angle slot 11 in the plate 5 and through the passage 9 in a line with the slot 7 A pressure upon the pedal to move the same longitudinally through the slot 11 will turn the shaft 19 to release the clutch and also'cause the pedal to contact with the stirrup 56 which, through the medium of its link conmore room is acquired at the front of the automobile'when -my improvement is attached thereto,.and while it is'thought that the foregoing description, when taken in connection with the drawings will fully set forth the construction and advantages of the invention'to those skilled in the art to which the same appertains, it is to be un: derstood that I do notdesire to be restrictnection with the rocker arm 43 will swing ed to the precise structural details herein set forth, but hold myself entitled to all the same to turn the shaft 49 to cause the angle end 58 thereof to move the gearshift rod 3 to shift the gears to low speed engagement. The gear shift rod 3 is held in such position by the usual spring influenced rounded detent. The swinging of the rocker'arm 43 imparts 'a swingin movement to the lever 35 in a reverse irection to the movement of the stirrup 56 to move the stirrup 39 beneath the slot 7 toward the passage 11, such swinging of the rocker arm 43 likewise drawing on the cable to cause the strand 47 to slacken. andto pull upon the strand 48 thereof to swing the. lever 29 to. bring the stirrup 33 from beneath the plate 5 into the opening or passage 13. To change to a second speed it is desirable that the pedal be brought out of the slot 7 through the passages 9 and 11 to contact with the stirrup 33, the forward movement of the pedal influencing the stirrup to return the parts to initial position, that is to neutral position. It is, of course, obvious that a direct passage of the pedal arm nay be madebetween the slots 7 and 7' to cause the pedal'arm to act on the stirrup 39 to rock the arm 43' in a reverse direction to that described. By bringing the pedal arm into the slots- 8 or 8' to act on the stirrups 53 or 38 a similar, swinging movement isimparted inopposite directions to-the rocker arm 43 in ac-, cordance with which stirrup the pedal arm contacts and the cable connected to the rocker arm 42' and lever 28 will swing the la-tter'to project the stirrup 33 into the neutral passage 13 in the plate 5, and a; swinging movement of the pedal against the stirrup 32 will bring the parts to neutral position.

By opening the latch 17 the pedal arm can "-be moved into the slot 15 and brought to.

engage the hook-shaped stirrup 62 of the 61 to apply the brakes; The application of the brakes may be regulated by-arranging the pedalarm 23 in the-different notches 1 6 16 nd as previously stated, the pedal may be locked in. the slot' 15 by locking the latc hl? so that unauthorized use 0f the car will be prevented.

. A gear shift as above described is of comparatively simple structure and is positive in action. As previously stated, much. 2

invention, I

.oted to permit of a lateral swinging movement of the pedal without influencing the clutch release shaft and to-also causethe turning of the shaft when an outward pressure is exerted on the pedal 'to bring the same into any of the longitudinal. slots of the plate, shafts having angle ends respectively pivotally connected to the gear shift rods of the automobile rocker arms secured to the free ends of the last mentioned shafts, means connected with the rocker arms, elements connected with said means, stirrups pivotally secured to said elements and (11S-' posed below the longitudinal slots in the plate in the pathof contact with the pedal when the same is swung into any of said longitudinal slots, as andfor the purpose set forth.

2...In a control system for automobiles, the combination, a plate having lateral andlOngitudinalslots, a pedal passing therethrough, means connecting thepedal to the clutch release shaft of the automobile to permit of a lateral movement of thepedal without influencing the shaft, but to cause the turning of the shaft and the release of the clutch, when the pedal is swung into any of the longitudinal slots, shaftseach having an angle end pivotally associated with the respective gear shift rods of the automobiles, rocker arms'connected beyond the centers thereof-with the respective shafts, pivotally supported levers. a pair of angularly disposed rods secured an equidistance from the shafts on the respective rockerfarms and connected to one pair of said levers, an angularly arranged rod also pivoted to each of the rocker arms an equidistance'from its, connection with its shaft and pivotally secured'to the second mentioned levers, links pivotally secured to the extreme outer ends of the respective "rocker arms, a rod'pivotally secured toeach of said hav ng stirrup ends, and stirrup was far

members pivotally secured to the inner and confronting ends of the mentioned levers, and all of said stirrups being in the path of contact with the pedals when the latter is swung into any of the o agitudinal slots in the plate, as and for the purpose setvforgth.

3. In a control system for automobiles, the combination, a plate having lateral and longitudinal slots, a pedal passing therethrough, means connecting the pedal to the clutch release shaft of the automobile to angularly disposed rods secured an equi distance from the shafts on the respective rocker arms and connected to one pair of said levers, an angularly arranged rod also memes pivoted to each of thegrocker arms an equidistance from its connection with its. shaft and pivotally securedto the'second men.- tioned levers, links pivotally secured to the ext me outer ends of the respective rocker ar said links having stirrup ends, and stirrup members pivotally secured to the inner and confronting ends of the mentioned levers, all of said stirrups, being in the path of contact with the pedal when the latter is swung into any of the longitudinal slots in the plate, a rod connected to the rocker shaft of the emergency brake for the automobile having a stirrup end disposed below the central longitudinal slot in the plate and designed for contact with the pedal when the latter is moved in said shot, means latching the pedal in said slot for regulating the pressure on the last mentioned stirrup, and

s, a rod pivotally secured to each of means for locking the pedal in said slot, as

and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflfix my signature.

\ JAMES WALLACE WILSON. 

